Why you should get an Inspection

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it's very important to have a professional home inspection performed.  Why?  Because it takes unpleasant last minute problems out of the equation. 

When sellers have an inspection before they start showing their home, they discover defects and can correct them. In FLorida, when  owners list a property, they are required to disclose any defects and repairs on a "Seller's Disclosure".  Subsequently, when they receive an offer from a buyer, they can rest comfortably knowing that the buyer will not walk away from the sale as a result of the buyer's home inspection.. 

A home inspection will look at the systems that make up the building such as:

• Structural elements, foundation, framing etc
• Plumbing systems
• Roofing
• Electrical systems
• Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc

When you buy a home, you need to know exactly what you are getting. Make sure your offer to purchase is subject to an inspection, to be performed by an inspector of your choice.  If the inspection is performed by a professional home inspector, you will learn about problems with the home so that they may be addressed BEFORE you are obligated to continue with the purchase.  If serious problems are discovered, you can re-negotiate with the seller, or you can walk away.  How? The inspection contingency in your offer to purchase will protect you.

If you are selling a home, you want to know about potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market so that you can correct them. Remember, almost all contracts written for a buyer include an inspection contingency.  If the buyer's inspector finds a problem, 1) it can cause the buyer to get cold feet and the sale can fall through  2) It can cause delays in closing while you make last minute repairs 3) You may have to take a lower price on your home. 4) If the buyer walks away, by law you must now disclose the defect(s) to all future buyers.  So, at this point, you really have to make the repairs.  Knowledge of and failure to disclose defects is fraud.